Shooting Stars Sports Club have acknowledged the directive by the Nigeria Premier Football League to relocate matches from the Lekan Salami Stadium, insisting that concrete steps are already underway to restore the playing surface to acceptable standards.

The NPFL had earlier ordered that, with effect from the next matchday, no league fixtures should be staged at the Ibadan venue following growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the pitch. Consequently, Shooting Stars Sports Club will now play their home matches at the MKO Abiola Arena until urgent remedial works are completed.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, who also serves as a Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, confirmed the decision, stressing that player safety, match quality, and the integrity of the league could not be compromised.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Shooting Stars said they had received official communication from the league regarding the suitability of the Lekan Salami Stadium to host NPFL fixtures, particularly in the context of broadcast and television requirements.

The club assured supporters and stakeholders that the issue was being treated with “utmost seriousness,” revealing that deliberate measures had already been implemented to improve the turf. According to the statement, intensified pitch maintenance, grass treatment, levelling, and regular watering have been ongoing in recent weeks.

Shooting Stars further explained that the current dry season and harsh weather conditions had significantly affected the playing surface, describing it as a broader environmental challenge that the club has been actively managing.

“Despite these conditions, work on the pitch has been ongoing to ensure steady improvement and long-term sustainability,” the club said, reaffirming its commitment to providing a safe, professional, and broadcast-friendly playing environment befitting its status and history in Nigerian football.

The venue reshuffle has also affected other NPFL clubs. Remo Stars, who were earlier sanctioned to play away from their Ikenne base and temporarily relocated to Ibadan, will now host their home matches in Akure. Ironically, Remo Stars had earlier hosted Sunshine Stars in Ikenne, before the latest reversal forced them to seek refuge in the Ondo State capital.

Shooting Stars stated that they would continue to engage constructively with the NPFL while prioritising lasting solutions that would allow supporters to return to the Lekan Salami Stadium under acceptable conditions.

The club also appealed for patience and understanding from the Oluyole faithful, assuring them of its determination to resolve the matter and restore Ibadan as a credible and safe home venue for NPFL football.

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• Summary

• *Arsenal’s first win in four Premier League games boosts title hopes
• *Arteta praises team’s dominance, resilience and quality
• *Saka’s absence was filled by Madueke, who was heavily involved in Arsenal’s victory

Premier League leaders Arsenal ended their mini-slump with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Leeds United on Saturday to move seven points clear despite Bukayo Saka being ruled out through injury just before kickoff.

Martin Zubimendi’s header and an own goal by Leeds keeper Karl Darlow put Arsenal in command before halftime, and Viktor Gyokeres’s volley and a clever finish by Gabriel Jesus wrapped things up after the break.

Arsenal’s first victory in four Premier League games moved Mikel Arteta’s side to 53 points from 24 matches, with Manchester City and Aston Villa, who both play on Sunday, on 46.

“To win 4-0 here is very difficult, let’s see when the next time that happens. Big credit to the boys,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who withstood a second-half soaking as the rain hammered down at Elland Road, said.

“The team showed a real dominance, resilience, character and obviously quality. I really liked the attitude of the team.”

Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers slipped closer to the drop as they lost 2-0 at home to Bournemouth, a result that left them 17 points behind Nottingham Forest, who occupy the spot immediately above the relegation zone.

Everton moved up to eighth after Beto’s goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time earned them a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Saka’s withdrawal with a hip niggle did not bode well for Arsenal, whose loss at home to Manchester United last week, following consecutive 0-0 draws, had raised questions about their nerve as they seek their first title since 2004.

With Leeds having lost only once in their last 10 league games, it looked like being a real test of Arsenal’s mettle.

They passed it in style, however, as the depth of their squad was again apparent with Saka’s replacement Noni Madueke making a huge impact. It was his cross that Zubimendi met to put Arsenal in front after 27 minutes, and his corner, which was fumbled into his own goal by Darlow.

The raucous Elland Road crowd tried to lift their side, but there was no way back after substitute Gabriel Martinelli did brilliantly down the right and whipped in a low cross that Gyokeres met with a volley past Darlow.

Martinelli’s fellow Brazilian Jesus, also off the bench, then showed sparkling footwork before curling in a clinical finish in the 86th minute.

Fifth-placed Chelsea host third-bottom West Ham United later on Saturday and champions Liverpool entertain Newcastle United to complete the day’s action.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has ordered the relocation of matches from the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, following growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the playing surface.

With effect from the next NPFL matchday, league fixtures will no longer be staged at the Ibadan venue until urgent improvements are carried out on the pitch. As a result of the decision, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will now play their home matches at the MKO Abiola Arena in Abeokuta.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the NPFL, Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is also a Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Elegbeleye disclosed the decision in an interview with Sports Village Square, stressing that player safety and the integrity of the league were paramount.

The venue shake-up has also had a ripple effect on other NPFL clubs. Remo Stars, who were recently sanctioned to play their home matches away from their Ikenne base and temporarily relocated to Ibadan, will now host their home fixtures in Akure. In a twist of fate, Remo Stars had earlier hosted Sunshine Stars of Akure at their Ikenne stadium, but the reversal now sees them seeking refuge in the Ondo State capital.

The decision by the NPFL follows mounting concerns over the state of the Lekan Salami Stadium pitch, which has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Sports Village Square had earlier reported that the poor condition of the turf forced the Nigeria Football Federation to relocate the Falconets’ 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal from Ibadan to Abeokuta.

In a similar move, Niger Tornadoes have also been advised by the league authorities to choose between Ilorin and Jos as alternative venues for their home matches, amid ongoing assessments of approved NPFL stadiums.

The NPFL leadership has maintained that clubs and state authorities must ensure that playing surfaces meet acceptable standards, warning that further relocations could follow if facilities continue to fall short.

The latest round of venue changes once again highlights the persistent challenge of stadium infrastructure and pitch maintenance in Nigerian football, as league organizers strive to balance competitive integrity with player welfare and broadcast standards.

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